Nick Joe Rahall II (b. May 20, 1949) is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of West Virginia. Rahall represents the 3rd congressional district of West Virginia. He was first elected to the House in 1976 to represent West Virginia's 4th congressional district; when that district was eliminated in 1992, Rahall ran for the 3rd district seat and won. Rahall is running for re-election in 2012.

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2011-12

Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management

Subcommittee on Highways and Transit

Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials

Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Issues

Earmarks

A Washington Post investigation in February 2012 revealed that 33 members of Congress helped direct more than $300 million in earmarks to public projects in close proximity to commercial and residential real estate owned by the lawmakers or their family members.[4] According to the report, Rahall helped secure $20 million toward a parking garage with a bus and taxi facility in downtown Beckley. The project is about a half-mile from his son's home, less than one mile from a commercial property owned by the lawmaker, and a little more than a mile from his residence.[5]

Campaign themes

2012

According to his website, Rahall's campaign platform includes the following issues[6]:

Jobs and technological development in West Virginia

Energy independence

Endorsements

2012

Heading into the primary, Rahall was endorsed by the West Virginia AFL-CIO's Committee on Political Education.[7]

Analysis

Congressional Staff Salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Rahall paid his congressional staff a total of $1,134,011 in 2011. Overall, West Virginia ranks 33rd in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[15]

Net worth

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Rahall's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $1,923,383 to $2,967,372. That averages to $2,445,377.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic Representatives in 2010 of $4,465,875.[16]

Political positions

Percentage voting with party

November 2011

Rahall voted with the Democratic Party 74.1% of the time, which ranked 176 among the 192 House Democratic members as of November 2011.[17]

Personal

Rahall and his wife, Melinda, have three children and three grandchildren.[3]